JP5594187B2 - Repair support server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a repair support server.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a multifunction machine having a failure diagnosis function and a repair support server that acquires the diagnosis result via a network. When a failure occurs in this multifunction device, the details of the failure are notified from the multifunction device to the repair support server. In the repair support server, information such as the part name and the quantity required for repair is specified based on the notified failure content, and the specified information is notified to the responsible service person.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-041691

  However, not all parts necessary for repairing the failure are in stock at the time when the failure occurs, and it is necessary to obtain a missing part from a manufacturer or the like. For this reason, it takes time until all parts necessary for repair are prepared, and there is a risk that the repair period will be prolonged accordingly.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a repair support server that can shorten the repair period of a device to be repaired.

In order to achieve this object, the repair support server according to the first aspect of the present invention performs a test for a specific function and outputs test result information including function information indicating the test result of the function. The acquisition means for acquiring the inspection result information output from the multifunction peripheral device, and the specific information based on the function information of the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means An estimation means for estimating an abnormality occurrence time at which an abnormality occurs in the function, and a parts identification means for specifying a part to be replaced in a repair work corresponding to the abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimation means; When the predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means has elapsed, arrangement information including part information indicating the parts specified by the parts specifying means is output. And force means, wherein the prediction information indicating the usage status predicted by the user for a multifunction peripheral device, and the prediction information storage means for storing in association with identification information of the multifunction peripheral device, stored in the prediction information storage means Prediction information acquisition means for acquiring prediction information corresponding to the identification information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition means, and the usage status of the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition means The first period adjusting means for setting the predetermined period longer as the burden on the multifunction peripheral device is larger .
The repair support server according to the second aspect of the present invention supports a repair work for a multi-function peripheral device that performs a test for a specific function and outputs test result information including function information indicating a test result of the function. An occurrence of an abnormality that causes an abnormality in the specific function based on the acquisition unit that acquires the inspection result information output from the multifunction peripheral device and the function information of the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition unit Estimating means for estimating timing, parts identifying means for identifying parts to be replaced in repair work corresponding to an abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means, and estimated by the estimating means An output means for outputting arrangement information including part information indicating a part specified by the part specifying means when a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time has elapsed; and the multifunction peripheral Prediction information storage means for storing the prediction information indicating the usage state predicted by the user for the device in association with the identification information of the multifunction peripheral device, and the prediction information stored in the prediction information storage means , A prediction information acquisition unit that acquires the prediction information corresponding to the identification information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the burden on the multifunction peripheral device in the usage status of the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit The second period adjusting means for causing the estimating means to raise the abnormality occurrence time and estimate the higher the value is.
The repair support server according to the third aspect of the present invention supports a repair work for a multi-function peripheral device that executes a test for a specific function and outputs test result information including function information indicating a test result of the function. The multi-function peripheral device repeats the execution of the inspection for the specific function and the output of the identification information for individually identifying the plurality of multi-function peripheral devices and the inspection result information including the function information. The repair support server is configured to acquire the identification result based on acquisition means for acquiring inspection result information output from the multi-function peripheral device, and functional information of the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means. It is exchanged by estimation means for estimating the time of occurrence of abnormality in the function of the product, and repair work according to the abnormality expected to occur at the time of occurrence of abnormality estimated by the estimation means Outputs arrangement information including part information indicating a part specified by the part specifying means when a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means has passed and a part specifying means for specifying the part Output means, and inspection result information storage means for storing inspection result information output from the multifunction peripheral device in the production process in association with identification information of the multifunction peripheral device, and the estimation means The inspection result information including the same identification information as the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means among the inspection result information stored in the inspection result information storage means, and the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means Based on each function information, the abnormality occurrence time is estimated.

  The present invention can be realized in various modes such as a repair support method, a repair support system including a repair support server and a multi-functional peripheral device, a program for controlling the repair support server, and a recording medium for recording the program. .

According to the repair support server according to any one of claims 1 , 2, and 4, a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimation unit has elapsed, and a specific function is abnormal in the multifunction peripheral device. If there is a risk of occurrence, the arrangement information including the part information indicating the part to be replaced in the abnormal repair work is output. Therefore, since the parts used for the repair work of the abnormality can be arranged in advance based on the arrangement information, the parts used for the repair work can be arranged before receiving a repair request for the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the preparation of the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be shortened.

In addition, the repair support server, not the multi-function peripheral device, estimates the time of occurrence of an abnormality, specifies the parts to be replaced during repair work, and outputs arrangement information, so the load on the multi-function peripheral device can be reduced. effective.
In particular, according to the repair support server according to claim 1, the higher the burden on the multifunction peripheral device in the usage situation predicted by the user, the longer the predetermined period is set, and thus the higher the possibility that an abnormality will occur. The parts used for repair work can be arranged more quickly. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs at an early stage, it is possible to shorten the period from when the repair request is received until the parts used for the repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
In addition, according to the repair support server according to claim 2, the higher the burden on the multi-function peripheral device in the usage situation predicted by the user, the higher the load of the abnormality is estimated by the estimating means. The higher the risk, the faster the parts used for repair work can be arranged. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs at an early stage, it is possible to shorten the period from when the repair request is received until the parts used for the repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
Moreover, according to the repair assistance server of Claim 4, there exists the following effect. Moreover, according to the repair assistance server of Claim 3, in addition to the effect which Claim 1 or 2 has, there exists the following effect. When estimating an abnormality occurrence time for one multifunction peripheral device, it is possible to estimate by using a plurality of test result information output from the same multifunction peripheral device and having different output timings. Errors caused by individual differences can be suppressed. In addition, since the estimation is performed using the latest test result information output from the multifunction peripheral device, the abnormality occurrence time can be estimated with high accuracy. Therefore, there is an effect that the accuracy of estimation can be improved.

According to the repair support server of the fifth aspect , in addition to the effect of any one of the first to fourth aspects , the arrangement information including the installation area information indicating the installation area of the multifunction peripheral device is output. Before receiving a repair request for a peripheral device, preparations can be made so that parts used for the repair work can be delivered to the installation area of the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the completion of the delivery preparation of the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.

According to the repair support server of the sixth aspect , in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect , the installation area information includes the repair staff information indicating the repair staff corresponding to the installation area. Before receiving the repair request, the parts used for the repair work can be delivered in advance to the person in charge of repairing the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request until the repair staff is ready for the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.

According to the repair support server described in claim 7 , in addition to the effects of any one of claims 1 to 6 , arrangement information including procedure manual information indicating a work procedure manual used in repair work for eliminating the abnormality is output. Therefore, before receiving a repair request for a multifunction peripheral device, a work procedure manual used for the repair work can be arranged. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the completion of the work procedure manual used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.

According to repair support server according to claim 8, wherein, in addition to the effect of response rate of any of claims 1 to 7, as the availability of the part to be replaced by the abnormality repairs are difficult, the predetermined time period is set longer Therefore, the more difficult to obtain the parts, the sooner the parts used for repair work can be arranged. Therefore, even parts that are difficult to obtain can be prepared without delay, so that it is possible to shorten the period from when a repair request is received until the parts to be used for repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened. In addition, the easier the parts are obtained, the later the parts used for the repair work can be arranged. Therefore, by arranging the parts used for the repair work in advance, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.

According to the repair support server of the ninth aspect , in addition to the effect of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the time when the abnormality has occurred is estimated by the estimating means as the part to be replaced in the abnormal repair work becomes more difficult to obtain. Since it is estimated by moving it up, the more difficult it is to obtain the parts, the sooner the parts used for repair work can be arranged. Therefore, even parts that are difficult to obtain can be prepared without delay, so that it is possible to shorten the period from when a repair request is received until the parts to be used for repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened. In addition, the easier the parts are obtained, the later the parts used for the repair work can be arranged. Therefore, by arranging the parts used for the repair work in advance, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.

  According to the repair support server of the tenth aspect, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to ninth aspects, it is possible to place an order for a part that is not in stock among parts to be replaced in an abnormal repair work. The increase can be suppressed. Therefore, by arranging parts used for repair work in advance, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a repair support system including a customer management server, an inventory management server, an MFP, and a PC, which is an embodiment of a repair support server of the present invention. (A), (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of the test result memory. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of a customer information table, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of the repair charge specific table. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of the test result table at the time of manufacture, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of the newest test result table. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of the abnormality warning value table, (b) is the schematic for demonstrating the outline of the calculation method of an estimated abnormality occurrence date. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of the replacement parts table, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the content of parts arrangement information. (A) is a flowchart showing a manufacturing inspection process executed by the CPU of the MFP, (b) is a flowchart showing an inspection execution process executed by the CPU of the MFP, and (c) is a flowchart showing the inspection execution process executed by the CPU of the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the main process to perform. (A) is a flowchart showing an MFP monitoring process executed by the CPU of the PC, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user information input screen on the PC. (A) is a flowchart which shows the customer information reception process which CPU of a customer management server performs, (b) is a flowchart which shows the test result information reception process which CPU of a customer management server performs. It is a flowchart which shows the parts arrangement determination process which CPU of a customer management server performs. It is a flowchart which shows the parts arrangement information reception process which CPU of an inventory management server performs.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a customer management server 300, an inventory management server 400, a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 100, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) as an embodiment of the repair support server of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a repair support system 10 including a PC 200).

  The MFP 100 is a device having a print function, a scanner function, a FAX function, and a copy function, and is used by being connected to the PC 200. The MFP 100 has a periodic inspection function for periodically inspecting deterioration of a specific part or deterioration of a specific function (hereinafter referred to as “periodic inspection”), and the inspection result is obtained via the PC 200 at every inspection. It is transmitted to the customer management server 300.

  Upon receiving the inspection result of MFP 100, customer management server 300 calculates a time when an abnormality occurs in MFP 100 (hereinafter referred to as “estimated abnormality occurrence date TY”) based on the inspection result. When the remaining period up to the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short, the inventory management server is instructed to arrange parts necessary for repairing the abnormality.

  According to the repair support system 10, when there is a high possibility that an abnormality will occur in the MFP 100, parts necessary for repairing the abnormality can be arranged in advance. Therefore, before receiving a repair request for the MFP 100 from the user, arrange the repair parts. it can. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the preparation of the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started early and the repair period can be shortened.

  Details will be described below. First, the MFP 100 will be described. The MFP 100 includes a CPU 101, a flash memory 102, a RAM 103, a printer 104, a scanner 105, an input unit 106, a liquid crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 107, a USB interface (hereinafter referred to as “USB I / F”) 108, A LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as “LAN I / F”) 109 is mainly included, and these are connected to each other via a bus line 110.

  The CPU 101 controls each unit connected by the bus line 110 according to a fixed value or program stored in the flash memory 102. The flash memory 102 is a nonvolatile memory, and stores a program for controlling the operation of the MFP 100 and the like. The flash memory 102 is provided with a program area 102a, a periodic inspection flag 102b, and an inspection result memory 102c. In the program area 102a, programs for executing a manufacturing inspection process shown in FIG. 7A described later, an inspection execution process shown in FIG. 7B, and a main process shown in FIG. 7C are stored.

  The periodic inspection flag 102b is a flag indicating whether or not the MFP 100 performs a periodic inspection. When the periodic inspection flag 102b is on, the periodic inspection is executed every time a predetermined number of days (for example, 10 days) has elapsed from the execution date of the most recent periodic inspection. When the periodic inspection flag 102b is changed from OFF to ON, the periodic inspection is immediately performed. On the other hand, when the periodic inspection flag 102b is off, the periodic inspection is not executed. The periodic inspection flag 102b is turned on / off by a user operation from the PC 200. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The inspection result memory 102c is a memory that stores inspection result information indicating the inspection result of the shipping inspection performed in the production process and inspection result information indicating the inspection result of the periodic inspection performed under the user. The inspection result information is generated by the MFP 100 and stored in the inspection result memory 102c. Here, the inspection result information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the contents of inspection result information of a shipping inspection, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the contents of inspection result information of a periodic inspection. Both the inspection result information of the shipping inspection and the inspection result information of the periodic inspection are composed of the product serial number, the inspection date / time, the manufacturing time identification flag, the characteristic value ID, and the inspection result value. The inspection contents are shown for convenience of explanation.

  The product serial number is an identification number for individually specifying the MFP 100 and is different for each MFP 100. The inspection date is the date and time when the shipping inspection and the periodic inspection are performed. The manufacturing time identification flag is a flag indicating whether the inspection result is the inspection result of the shipping inspection or the inspection result of the periodic inspection. When the manufacturing time identification flag is on, it indicates that the inspection result is the inspection result of the shipping inspection, and when the manufacturing time identification flag is off, it indicates that the inspection result is the inspection result of the periodic inspection.

  The characteristic value ID is an ID indicating an inspection item, and is different for each inspection item. The characteristic value ID is composed of a combination of alphanumeric characters, for example, and a characteristic value ID “E11021” is assigned to an inspection item for measuring “the carriage moving speed of the printer 104”. The inspection result value is a value indicating the inspection result of the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID, and the value increases or decreases due to a failure of a part related to the inspection item, deterioration of the part, or the like. Change. Note that how the inspection result value changes with a failure, deterioration, or the like varies depending on the inspection item.

  For example, in the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID “S2203”, “the lower limit output value of CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of the scanner 105” is measured as the inspection result value. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example, in the shipping inspection, the inspection result value is measured as “4500”, but in the subsequent periodic inspection, the inspection result value is “ 1989 ". In this example, since the value is changing rapidly, it is estimated that a problem has occurred.

  In the present embodiment, when a shipping inspection is performed in the production process of the MFP 100, various inspections are performed in the manufacturing inspection process (see FIG. 8A). When these are completed, the product serial number of the MFP 100, the inspection date / time when the shipping inspection was performed, the manufacturing time identification flag, the specific value ID and the inspection result value corresponding to various inspection items are included. The inspection result information is stored in the inspection result memory 102c, and the manufacturing time identification flag is set to ON.

  When shipping inspection is performed, the MFP 100 is connected to the Internet 500 via the LAN I / F 109. When the shipping inspection is completed, the inspection result information of the shipping inspection is transmitted from the MFP 100 to the customer via the Internet 500. Directly transmitted to the management server 300.

  On the other hand, when a periodic inspection is performed under the user, various inspections are performed in the main process (FIG. 7C). Although stored in the result memory 102c, the manufacturing time identification flag is then set to OFF. Under the user, the MFP 100 is connected to the PC 200 via the USB I / F 108. When the periodic inspection is completed, the inspection result information of the periodic inspection is transmitted from the MFP 100 to the customer management server 300 via the PC 200. Sent to.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The RAM 103 temporarily stores information necessary for the processing of the CPU 101. The printer 104 is a device that prints an image using an inkjet method, and the scanner 105 is a device that reads an image with a reading unit equipped with a CIS. Input unit 106 includes a touch panel for inputting instructions and information to MFP 100, and is arranged on the display surface of LCD 107.

  The USB I / F 108 is a device for communicating with other devices connected via a USB cable (not shown), and is configured by a known device. In this embodiment, the PC 200 is connected to the USB I / F 207 so as to be communicable. The LAN I / F 109 is a device for communicating with other devices via the Internet 500, and is configured by a known device. When the LAN I / F 109 and the Internet 500 are electrically connected by a LAN cable (not shown) or the like, the LAN I / F 109 can communicate with other devices via the Internet 500.

  Next, the PC 200 will be described. The PC 200 mainly includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 204, an input device 205, an LCD 206, a USB I / F 207, and a LAN I / F 208, which are connected via a bus line 209. Are connected to each other.

  The CPU 201 controls each unit connected by the bus line 209 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 202 and the HDD 204. The ROM 202 is a memory in which a program for controlling the operation of the PC 200 is stored. The RAM 203 is a readable / writable memory for temporarily storing data necessary for processing of the CPU 201.

  The HDD 204 is a rewritable nonvolatile storage device and stores a driver program 204a. The driver program 204a is a resident program for controlling the MFP 100 from the PC 200. The PC 200 can change settings of the MFP 100 via the driver program 204a, and can control a print function, a scanner function, a FAX function, a copy function, and the like.

  In order to use the MFP 100 from the PC 200, the user needs to install the driver program 204a of the MFP 100 in the HDD 204 in advance. When the installation is performed, a user information input screen (described later in FIG. b) is displayed.

  Although details will be described later, on this screen, for example, the model name of the MFP 100, the product serial number, the user name, the user's address, the presence / absence of periodic inspection execution, the printing application, the printing frequency, and the like. The user is required to input information (hereinafter referred to as “user information”). When the input of various information is completed, customer information (described later) is generated in the PC 200, and the customer information is directly transmitted from the PC 200 to the customer management server 300 via the Internet 500.

  In addition, if it is selected on the user information input screen that the periodic inspection is to be executed, the PC 200 notifies the MFP 100 of an instruction to set the periodic inspection flag 102b to ON. In MFP 100, when periodic inspection flag 102b is set to ON, inspection result information of the periodic inspection is transmitted from MFP 100 to PC 200 each time the periodic inspection is executed. When receiving the inspection result information of the periodic inspection, the PC 200 transfers the information to the customer management server 300 via the Internet 500 as it is.

  The input device 205 includes a keyboard and a mouse for inputting instructions and information to the PC 200. The LCD 206, USB I / F 207, and LAN I / F 208 are configured in the same manner as the LCD 107, USB I / F 108, and LAN I / F 109 described above.

  Next, the customer management server 300 will be described. The customer management server 300 mainly includes a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, HDD 304, and LAN I / F 305, which are connected to each other via a bus line 306. The LAN I / F 305 is configured in the same manner as the LAN I / F 109 described above. Note that the illustration of the input device and the LCD is omitted.

  The CPU 301 controls each unit connected through the bus line 306 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 302 and the HDD 304. The ROM 302 is a memory in which a program for controlling the operation of the customer management server 300 is stored. A RAM 303 is a readable / writable memory for temporarily storing data necessary for the processing of the CPU 301.

  The HDD 304 is a rewritable nonvolatile storage device. The HDD 304 includes a program area 304a, a customer information table 304b, a repair person specifying table 304c, a manufacturing inspection result table 304d, a latest inspection result table 304e, an abnormality warning value table 304f, and a replacement parts table 304g. Provided. The program area 304a stores programs for executing customer information reception processing shown in FIG. 9A, which will be described later, inspection result information reception processing shown in FIG. 9B, and parts arrangement determination processing shown in FIG. .

  The customer information table 304b is a table that accumulates customer information. Customer information is generated in the PC 200 and transmitted directly from the PC 200 to the customer management server 300. In the customer management server 300, when customer information is received, the customer information is added to the customer information table 304b. The customer information table 304b is updated based on communication with the PC 200, and is updated regardless of the MFP 100 and the inventory management server 400. Here, the customer information table 304b will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the customer information table 304b. A plurality of customer information is accumulated in the customer information table 304b. One customer information includes a product serial number, a user name, a user address, a printing application, and a printing frequency. Since the product serial number has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted. The user name is the name of the user who owns MFP 100 corresponding to the product serial number. The user address is the address of the user, in other words, the installation location of MFP 100 corresponding to the product serial number.

  The printing application is the user's main printing application. For example, “photo printing” and “document printing” are provided as options, and one of them is selected. The printing frequency is a frequency at which the MFP 100 performs printing. For example, “high”, “normal”, “low”, “almost unused”, and the like are provided as options, and any one of them is selected. Each of the product serial number, the user name, and the user address is input by the user at the PC 200, and each of the printing application and the printing frequency is selected by the user at the PC 200.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The repair person specifying table 304 c is a table for specifying a center in charge of repairing the MFP 100 of the user from among a plurality of service centers in charge of repairing the MFP 100. The repair charge specific table 304c is created or updated in advance by an administrator of the customer management server 300 or the like. Here, the repair charge specific table 304c will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the repair charge specific table 304c. The repair charge identification table 304c is composed of a repair charge area and a repair charge service center.

  The area in charge of repair is, for example, an address representing each area when the country is divided into a plurality of areas in units of prefectures, wards or cities. The repair service center is a service center that should be in charge of repair of the MFP 100 installed in the repair service area.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The manufacturing inspection result table 304d is a table for accumulating inspection result information of shipping inspection output from each MFP 100 in the production process. The inspection result information of the shipping inspection is generated in the MFP 100 and transmitted directly from the MFP 100 to the customer management server 300. In the customer management server 300, when the inspection result information of the shipping inspection is received, the inspection result information is added to the manufacturing inspection result table 304d.

  The manufacturing inspection result table 304d is updated based on communication with the MFP 100, and is updated regardless of the PC 200 and the inventory management server 400. Here, the manufacturing inspection result table 304d will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the manufacturing inspection result table 304d. The manufacturing-time inspection result table 304d includes a characteristic value ID, an inspection result value, a product serial number, and an inspection date. Here, the characteristic value ID and the inspection result value indicate the inspection item and the inspection result made in the shipping inspection of the MFP 100 corresponding to the product serial number, and the inspection date and time indicate the date and time when the shipping inspection was performed. Show. Since the characteristic value ID, the inspection result value, the product serial number, and the inspection date / time have been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The latest inspection result table 304e is a memory that accumulates the latest inspection result information of the periodic inspection that is periodically output from the MFP 100 owned by the user according to the user setting. Inspection result information of the periodic inspection is generated in the MFP 100 and transmitted from the MFP 100 to the customer management server 300 via the PC 200.

  When the customer management server 300 receives the inspection result information of the periodic inspection, the customer management server 300 confirms whether the inspection result information of the periodic inspection of the MFP 100 that has undergone the periodic inspection has already been stored. In this case, the inspection result information received this time is stored in the table in place of the inspection result information of the periodic inspection already stored. On the other hand, if it is not stored, it is added to the latest inspection result table 304e.

  The latest inspection result table 304e is updated based on communication with the PC 200, and is updated regardless of the MFP 100 and the inventory management server 400. Here, the latest inspection result table 304e will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the latest inspection result table 304e. The latest inspection result table 304e includes an arranged flag, a characteristic value ID, an inspection result value, a product serial number, and an inspection date. Here, the characteristic value ID and the inspection result value indicate the inspection item and the inspection result made in the periodic inspection of the MFP 100 corresponding to the product serial number, and the inspection date indicates the date and time when the periodic inspection was performed. Show. Since the characteristic value ID, the inspection result value, the product serial number, and the inspection date / time have been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

  When it is determined that the remaining period until the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short for the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID, the arrangement completed flag arranges parts necessary for repairing the abnormality in the inventory management server 400. Is a flag indicating whether or not an instruction is issued.

  When the arranged flag is on, the arrangement of parts related to the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID, which is necessary for repairing the abnormality estimated to occur at the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY, is in stock. Indicates that the management server 400 has been instructed. On the other hand, if the arranged flag is off, it indicates that the inventory management server 400 is not instructed to arrange parts related to the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID.

  If it is determined that the remaining period until the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short for the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID, and the arranged flag is off, the arranged flag corresponding to the characteristic value ID is The inventory management server 400 is instructed to arrange parts related to the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining period up to the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short, if the arranged flag is ON, the parts have already been arranged and nothing is done. When the arranged flag is set to ON, it is kept on until the MFP 100 having the product serial number corresponding to the arranged flag is repaired. Then, for example, when a repair completion notice is received from a repair person, it is set to OFF by manual input by the administrator.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The abnormality warning value table 304f is a table that stores an abnormality warning value K that is a threshold value indicating that the inspection result value corresponding to the characteristic value ID is an abnormal value. The abnormality warning value K is preset in units of characteristic value IDs, that is, in units of inspection items. When the abnormality warning value K that has already been set for the characteristic value ID is updated or when a new abnormality warning value K is added, the administrator or the like can perform another device 100, 200, It is updated regardless of 400. The abnormality warning value table 304f is used in the customer management server 300 to calculate the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY corresponding to the characteristic value ID. Here, the abnormality warning value table 304f will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the abnormality warning value table 304f. The abnormality warning value table 304f includes a characteristic value ID and an abnormality warning value K. Since the characteristic value ID has been described above, the description thereof is omitted. The abnormality warning value K is an upper limit value depending on characteristics such as how the inspection result value corresponding to the characteristic value ID changes due to failure, deterioration, etc., and in what range. A lower limit value, a range of values, etc. are preset.

  For example, when the inspection result value corresponding to the characteristic value ID rises due to a failure or deterioration of a component, only the upper limit value is set, and when the inspection result value falls due to failure or deterioration, only the lower limit value is set. Is set. Further, when the value fluctuates such as rising or falling due to failure or deterioration, an upper limit value and a lower limit value (that is, a range) are set. This abnormality warning value K is used to calculate the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY from the inspection result value corresponding to the characteristic value ID. Here, with reference to FIG.5 (b), the calculation method of presumed abnormality occurrence date TY is demonstrated. The estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated in the customer management server 300.

  FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of a method for calculating the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY, in which the vertical axis indicates the inspection result value for one characteristic value ID, and the horizontal axis indicates the year and month. Shows the day. In the present embodiment, the inspection result information of the periodic inspection generated in the MFP 100 is transmitted from the MFP 100 to the customer management server 300 via the PC 200. In the customer management server 300, when the inspection result information of the periodic inspection is received, the inspection result information of the periodic inspection received this time, the inspection result information of the shipping inspection of the same MFP 100 as the MFP 100 that has undergone the periodic inspection, The estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated for each characteristic value ID (ie, inspection item) using the abnormality warning value table 304f.

  Specifically, first, one characteristic value ID for calculating the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is selected from a plurality of characteristic value IDs. Then, the inspection result value VA corresponding to the selected characteristic value ID is extracted from the inspection result information of the shipping inspection, and the inspection result corresponding to the selected characteristic value ID from the inspection result information of the periodic inspection. The value VB is extracted. For convenience of explanation, the inspection date and time when the shipping inspection was performed is referred to as the manufacturing date TA, and the inspection date and time when the current periodic inspection was performed is the latest inspection date and time TB. Called.

  Based on the difference value between the inspection result value VB and the inspection result value VA and the difference value between the latest inspection date TB and the manufacturing date TA, a straight line representing the transition of the inspection result value is calculated. And the position where the abnormal warning value K corresponding to the selected characteristic value ID intersects is specified. Then, the date at the specified position is calculated as the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY, and the period from the latest inspection date TB to the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated as the standby period N. For other specific value IDs, similarly, the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY and the standby period N are calculated for each characteristic value ID.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated using the latest periodic inspection result information, the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY can be accurately calculated. In addition, since calculation is performed using inspection result information generated by the same MFP 100 (information generated at the time of shipping inspection and periodic inspection), errors caused by individual differences of the MFP 100 can be suppressed. Therefore, the calculation accuracy of the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY can be improved.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. The replacement part table 304g is a table in which parts to be replaced by repairs that eliminate the abnormality of the MFP 100 are classified for each characteristic value ID. The replacement part table 304g is created in advance by the designer of the MFP 100 or the like. In the replacement part table 304g, when the part corresponding to the characteristic value ID is changed, it is updated by the administrator or the like regardless of the other apparatuses 100, 200, and 400. The replacement parts table 304g is used in the customer management server 300 in order to specify parts to be arranged by the inventory management server 400. Here, the replacement part table 304g will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the replacement part table 304g. The replacement part table 304g includes a characteristic value ID, a replacement part name, a part ID, a difficulty level, and a repair flow number. Since the characteristic value ID has been described above, the description thereof is omitted. The replacement part name is the name of each part group that needs to be replaced in order to eliminate the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID. Here, the part group means a single part, a unitized part, or a combination thereof. The component ID is an identification number of each component corresponding to the replacement component name. A different identification number is set in advance for each type of component.

  The difficulty level is a classification result obtained by classifying a part group corresponding to the characteristic value ID into three levels from difficulty to availability. For example, three ranks of “A (difficult to obtain)”, “B (ordinary)”, and “C (easy to obtain)” are provided as difficulty ranks. Any one of the two ranks is preset for the component group. The repair flow number is an identification number indicating a procedure manual (hereinafter referred to as “repair flow”) used by a repair person in repair work for eliminating an abnormality in an inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID. In the repair flow, a different repair flow number is set in advance for each repair flow.

  Although details will be described later, the replacement part table 304g, the above-described manufacturing inspection result table 304d, the latest inspection result table 304e, and the abnormality warning value table 304f are used to calculate the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY. Calculated. If it is determined that the remaining period up to the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short, the customer management server 300 uses the parts to instruct the inventory management server 400 to arrange parts necessary for repairing the abnormality. Arrangement information is generated, and the parts arrangement information is transmitted to the inventory management server 400. The inventory management server 400 arranges parts based on the parts arrangement information.

  Here, the parts arrangement information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the parts arrangement information. The parts arrangement information includes a product serial number, a user name, a user address, a replacement part name, a part ID, a repair flow number, a repair service center, and an estimated abnormality occurrence date TY. . Since each configuration has been described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. Next, the inventory management server 400 will be described. The inventory management server 400 mainly includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, HDD 404, and LAN I / F 405, which are connected to each other via a bus line 406. The LAN I / F 405 is configured similarly to the LAN I / F 109 described above. Note that the illustration of the input device and the LCD is omitted.

  The CPU 401 controls each unit connected by the bus line 406 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 402 and the HDD 404. The ROM 402 is a memory in which a program for controlling the operation of the inventory management server 400 is stored. The RAM 403 is a readable / writable memory for temporarily storing data necessary for the processing of the CPU 401.

  The HDD 404 is a rewritable nonvolatile storage device. The HDD 404 is provided with a program area 404a, an inventory information memory 404b, and a repair flow storage memory 404c. The program area 404a stores a program for executing parts arrangement information reception processing shown in FIG.

  The inventory information memory 404b is a memory in which inventory information indicating the inventory status of each part constituting the MFP 100 is stored. The inventory information is composed of a part name of each part constituting the MFP 100, a part ID corresponding to each part, and the number of stocks of each part. The inventory information memory 404b is updated based on the receipt of parts, the delivery of parts, and communication with the customer management server 300.

  The repair flow storage memory 404c is a memory for storing repair flow data corresponding to each repair flow number. The repair flow storage memory 404c is updated when a designer or the like changes the repair flow or creates a new repair flow, and is updated regardless of the MFP 100, the PC 200, and the customer management server 300. Is done. Next, the flowcharts of the devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 will be described in order.

  FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing a manufacturing inspection process executed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100. The manufacturing inspection process is a process for executing a shipping inspection performed in the production process, and is performed when an inspection start is instructed by an operator in the production process. First, the CPU 101 executes an inspection execution process (S1).

  FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating the inspection execution process (S1) executed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100. The inspection execution process (S1) is a process for executing inspection for a plurality of inspection items and generating inspection result information indicating the results. First, the CPU 101 selects one inspection item to be executed from a plurality of inspection items (S11), executes inspection for the inspection item, and calculates an inspection result value (S12). Next, the CPU 101 adds the characteristic value ID corresponding to the inspection item to the inspection result value and stores it in the inspection result memory 102c (S13).

  Then, the CPU 101 determines whether all inspection items have been inspected (S14), and if the determination in S14 is negative (S14: No), the process returns to S11. On the other hand, if the determination in S14 is affirmative (S14: Yes), the CPU 101 causes each inspection result to which the product serial number of MFP 100, the current date / time, the manufacturing time identification flag, and the characteristic value ID are added. Inspection result information including the value is generated and stored in the inspection result memory 102c (S15), and this process is terminated. The product serial number of MFP 100 is stored in advance in a predetermined area of flash memory 102, for example. Here, the description returns to FIG.

  When the processing of S1 is completed, the CPU 101 then turns on the manufacturing time identification flag included in the inspection result information stored in the inspection result memory 102c (S2), and the inspection result information is directly It transmits to the customer management server 300 (S3).

  FIG. 7C is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100. The main process is a process for executing main processes of the MFP 100 under the user, and is repeatedly executed after the MFP 100 is turned on. First, the CPU 101 determines whether an instruction for setting the periodic inspection flag 102b has been issued from the PC 200 (S21). If the determination in S21 is affirmative (S21: Yes), the CPU 101 sets the state of the periodic inspection flag 102b in accordance with the instruction from the PC 200 (S22), and proceeds to the process of S23. On the other hand, when the determination in S21 is negative (S21: No), the process proceeds to S23.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the periodic inspection flag 102b is on (S23). If the determination of S23 is negative (S23: No), the process proceeds to S27. On the other hand, if the determination in S23 is affirmative (S23: Yes), the CPU 101 determines whether 10 days or more have elapsed since the last periodic inspection performed (S24). If the determination in S24 is negative (S24: No), the CPU 101 proceeds to the process in S27. On the other hand, when the determination in S24 is affirmative (S24: Yes), an inspection execution process (S1) is executed. When the inspection result information is stored in the inspection result memory 102c, when the inspection execution process (S1) ends, the old inspection result information is overwritten on the current inspection result information.

  Next, the CPU 101 sets the manufacturing time identification flag included in the inspection result information stored in the inspection result memory 102c to OFF (S25), and transmits the inspection result information to the PC 200 (S26). Then, as other processing, CPU 101 executes each processing for controlling MFP 100 (S27), and returns to the processing in S21.

  FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing MFP monitoring processing executed by the CPU 201 of the PC 200. The MFP monitoring process is a process for transmitting the inspection result information of the periodic inspection notified from the MFP 100 and the user information input by the user at the PC 200 to the customer management server 300. The MFP monitoring process is one of the processes included in the driver program 204a, and is executed at predetermined intervals (for example, every few seconds) after the PC 200 is turned on. First, the CPU 201 determines whether user information is input on a user information input screen displayed during installation of the driver program 204a or on a user information input screen displayed in response to a user instruction (S31). . In the process of S31, it is determined that the user information has been input when a transmission button BT1 described later is pressed in a state where all the user information has been input. Here, the user information input screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user information input screen. The user information input screen is displayed on the LCD 206 when the user installs the driver program 204a or when the user instructs display of the user information input screen. On the user information input screen, the user is requested to input user information.

  The user information input screen includes a model name input field TB1, a product serial number input field TB2, a user name input field TB3, a user address input field TB4, a periodic inspection execution selection button RB1, and a print application selection button RB2. , A print frequency selection button RB3, a send button BT1, and a cancel button BT2.

  In the model name input field TB1, the model name of the MFP 100 owned by the user is input. In the product serial number input column TB2, the product serial number of the MFP 100 owned by the user is input. In the user name input column TB3, the name of the user who owns the MFP 100 is input. The user's address is input in the user address input field TB4.

  The periodic inspection execution selection button RB1 selects one of two options for whether or not to execute the periodic inspection. In the printing application selection button RB2, one of the two printing options, photo printing and document printing, is selected as the printing application. In the print frequency selection button RB3, daily use schedule (use frequency: high), weekly use 2-3 times (use frequency: normal), month use 2-3 times (use frequency: low), and One is selected as the printing frequency from the four choices that are scheduled to be used 2-3 times a year (usage frequency: rarely used).

  The send button BT1 is a button for indicating completion of input of user information and transmitting customer information generated from the user information to the customer management server 300, and a cancel button BT2 indicates canceling input of user information. A button for closing the user information input screen.

  Here, the description returns to FIG. If the determination in S31 is affirmative (S31: Yes), the CPU 201 transmits an instruction to set the periodic inspection flag 102b to the MFP 100 based on the selected content of the periodic inspection item on the user information input screen (S32). Specifically, if the execution selection button RB1 for periodic inspection is selected to execute the periodic inspection, a setting instruction for setting the periodic inspection flag 102b to ON is transmitted to the MFP 100. On the other hand, if it is selected not to execute the periodic inspection, a setting instruction for setting the periodic inspection flag 102b to OFF is transmitted to the MFP 100. And CPU201 produces | generates customer information from the user information input by the user, transmits to the customer management server 300 (S33), and transfers to the process of S34.

  If the determination in S31 is negative (S31: No), the CPU 201 proceeds to the process in S34. Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the inspection result information of the periodic inspection transmitted from the MFP 100 has been received (S34), and when the determination of S34 is affirmative (S34: Yes), the inspection result of the periodic inspection received this time. The information is directly transferred to the customer management server 300 (S35), and the process proceeds to S36. On the other hand, when the determination in S34 is negative (S34: No), the process proceeds to S36. Then, as other processing, each processing for controlling the MFP 100 is executed (S36), and this processing ends.

  FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing customer information reception processing executed by the CPU 301 of the customer management server 300. The customer information reception process is a process for updating the customer information table 304b based on the customer information transmitted from the PC 200. The customer information reception process is executed when customer information is received by the customer management server 300. The CPU 301 adds the customer information received this time to the customer information table 304b (S41), and ends this process.

  FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the inspection result information receiving process executed by the CPU 301 of the customer management server 300. The inspection result information reception process is a process for storing the inspection result information of the shipping inspection or the periodic inspection in the manufacturing inspection result table 304d and the latest inspection result table 304e. The inspection result information receiving process is executed when the inspection result information is received regardless of the type of inspection result information received (shipping inspection or periodic inspection).

  First, the CPU 301 determines whether the manufacturing time identification flag included in the inspection result information received this time is on (S51). When the determination in S51 is affirmative (S51: Yes), the CPU 301 adds the inspection result information received this time to the manufacturing inspection result table 304d (S52), and ends this process. On the other hand, if the determination in S51 is negative (S51: No), the CPU 301 extracts the product serial number from the currently received inspection result information (S53), and the inspection result information including the extracted product serial number is It is determined whether it is stored in the latest inspection result table 304e (S54).

  When the determination in S54 is negative (S54: No), the CPU 301 adds the inspection result information received this time to the latest inspection result table 304e (S55), and proceeds to the processing of S57. On the other hand, if the determination in S54 is affirmative (S54: Yes), the test result information received this time is stored (overwritten) instead of the previous test result information stored in the latest test result table 304e (S56). ), The process proceeds to S57. Then, the CPU 301 executes a parts arrangement determination process (S57) and ends this process.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing parts arrangement determination processing executed by the CPU 301 of the customer management server 300. The parts arrangement determination process calculates the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY for the inspection item corresponding to the characteristic value ID, and is necessary for repairing the abnormality when the remaining period until the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short. This is a process for instructing the inventory management server 400 to arrange parts.

  First, the CPU 301 selects one inspection item for calculating the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY from the plurality of inspection items, and acquires a characteristic value ID corresponding to the inspection item (S61). Then, the CPU 301 acquires the abnormality warning value K corresponding to the characteristic value ID acquired this time from the abnormality warning value table 304f (S62). Then, using the product serial number extracted in the process of S53 of FIG. 9, the printing use and printing frequency of the user who owns the MFP 100 are acquired from the customer information table 304b (S63).

  Next, the CPU 301 determines what the printing application acquired in the process of S63 is (S64), and if it is determined that the photograph is printed in the determination of S64 (S64: photograph printing), it is acquired in the process of S62. The abnormality warning value K is corrected by multiplying the abnormality warning value K by a correction coefficient α (0 <α ≦ 1) (S65). On the other hand, if it is determined in S64 that the document is printed (S64: document printing), the abnormal warning value K obtained by multiplying the abnormal warning value K acquired in S62 by the correction coefficient β (α <β). Is corrected (S66). Since the print head drive and ink discharge amount are more likely to be greater in photo printing than in document printing, the burden on MFP 100 is greater in photo printing, and the possibility of anomalies may occur in photo printing. Is expected to be higher. Therefore, for example, “correction coefficient α <correction coefficient β” is set, and in the case of photo printing, the processing of S78 to S84 described later is executed earlier than in the case of text printing, and parts are arranged. Make it happen faster.

  Next, the CPU 301 determines whether the printing frequency acquired in the process of S63 is high (S67). If the determination in S67 is affirmative (S67: Yes), the abnormality warning corrected in the process of S65 or S66. The abnormal warning value K is corrected by multiplying the value K by a correction coefficient γ (0 <γ ≦ 1) (S68). On the other hand, when the determination in S67 is negative (S67: No), the process proceeds to S69. Since the burden on the MFP 100 is greater when the printing frequency is high than when the printing frequency is low, there is a high possibility that an abnormality will occur. Therefore, when the usage frequency is high, the correction coefficient γ is multiplied so that the processing of S78 to S84 is executed early, and the parts are arranged earlier.

  Next, the CPU 301 extracts the product serial number extracted in the process of S53 of FIG. 9 from the data constituting the manufacturing inspection result table 304d and the latest inspection result table 304e, and the characteristic value ID acquired in the process of S61. And the date of manufacture TA and the latest inspection date TB, and the inspection result value VA and the inspection result value VB corresponding to the characteristic value ID acquired in the process of S61 are identified from the data. get. Then, the CPU 301 calculates the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY using each of the acquired values and the abnormality warning value K acquired in the process of S62 (S69), and further from the latest inspection date TB. The period until the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated as the standby period N (S70).

  Next, the CPU 301 acquires from the replacement part table 304g the replacement part difficulty level that corresponds to the characteristic value ID acquired in S61 (S71), and determines what the difficulty level is (S72). . In the determination of S72, when the difficulty level is “A (difficult)” (S72: A), the preparation period X is set to “45 days” (S73), and the difficulty level is “B (normal)”. In the case (S72: B), the preparation period X is set to “30 days” (S74). When the difficulty level is “C (easy to obtain)” (S72: C), the preparation period X is set to “15 days”. Set (S75).

  Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the standby period N is equal to or shorter than the preparation period X (S76). If the determination in S76 is negative (S76: No), the process proceeds to S85. On the other hand, if the determination in S76 is affirmative (S76: Yes), the product serial number extracted in the process of S53 in FIG. 9 from the data constituting the latest inspection result table 304e and the characteristics acquired in the process of S61. Data associated with the value ID is specified, and it is determined whether the arranged flag included in the data is on (S77).

  If the determination in S77 is affirmative (S77: Yes), since the parts arrangement information has already been transmitted to the inventory management server 400, the process proceeds to S85 without doing anything. Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the characteristic value ID corresponding to the inspection item has been acquired for all the inspection items (S85). If the determination in S85 is negative (S85: No), the processing of S61 is performed. Returning, the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated for the remaining inspection items. On the other hand, when the determination in S85 is affirmative (S85: Yes), this process ends.

  If it is determined in S77 that the arranged flag is off (S77: No), the CPU 301 sets the off arranged flag to on (S78), and the process of S61 is performed from the replacement part table 304g. The replacement part name and the part ID corresponding to the characteristic value ID acquired in step S79 are specified (S79). Next, the CPU 301 specifies a user name and a user address corresponding to the product serial number extracted in the process of S53 of FIG. 9 from the customer information table 304b (S80). Then, the user address is compared with the repair charge area of the repair charge specifying table 304c, and the repair service center that matches the repair charge area with respect to the user address is specified (S81).

  Next, the CPU 301 specifies a repair flow number corresponding to the characteristic value ID acquired in the process of S61 from the replacement parts table 304g (S82), and instructs the inventory management server 400 to arrange parts. In order to do this, parts arrangement information including various information specified in the processing of S79 to 82 is generated (S83). Then, the generated parts arrangement information is transmitted to the inventory management server 400 (S84), and the process proceeds to S85.

  According to the parts arrangement determination process shown in FIG. 10, the waiting period N is equal to or shorter than the preparation period X, the remaining period until the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is shortened, and there is a high possibility that an abnormality will occur in the MFP 100. In this case, since the parts arrangement information can be transmitted to the inventory management server 400, the parts necessary for the repair for eliminating the abnormality can be arranged in advance. Therefore, since the parts used for the repair work can be arranged before receiving a repair request for the MFP 100 from the user, it is possible to shorten the period from when the repair request is received from the user until the preparation of the parts used for the repair work is completed. Therefore, since the repair work can be started quickly, the repair period of the MFP 100 can be shortened.

  Further, in the processes of S72 to S75, the higher the difficulty level of obtaining replacement parts (the harder it is to obtain), the longer the preparation period X is set; X is set short. Therefore, the more difficult it is to obtain a replacement part, the earlier the part can be arranged. Therefore, even a part that is difficult to obtain can be prepared without delay. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request from the user to the preparation of the parts used for the repair work can be further shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, the repair period of MFP 100 can be further shortened. In addition, as the replacement parts are easily obtained, the parts can be arranged later, so that the number of parts held in stock can be suppressed from increasing. Therefore, before the occurrence of an abnormality that is estimated to occur on the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY, by arranging in advance parts necessary for repairing the abnormality, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.

  Further, the abnormality warning value K can be corrected according to the printing application of the user by the processing of S64 to S66. Further, the abnormality warning value K can be corrected according to the printing frequency of the user by the processes of S67 and S68. With these corrections, replacement parts can be arranged more quickly as the risk of anomalies increases. Therefore, even if an anomaly occurs early, after receiving a repair request from the user, preparing parts for repair work Can shorten the period until Therefore, since the repair work can be started early, the repair period of the MFP 100 can be further shortened.

  In this embodiment, the inventory management server 300, not the MFP 100, specifies the parts necessary for calculating the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY and repairing the abnormality estimated to occur on the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY. Also, parts arrangement information is generated and the parts arrangement information is output. Therefore, the burden on MFP 100 can be reduced.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing parts arrangement information reception processing executed by the CPU 401 of the inventory management server 400. The parts arrangement information reception process is a process for arranging parts specified by the parts arrangement information, and is executed when the parts arrangement information transmitted from the customer management server 300 is received. First, the CPU 401 extracts all the component IDs included in the component arrangement information received this time (S91), and selects one component ID from the extracted component IDs (S92).

  Next, the CPU 401 determines whether there is a part corresponding to the selected part ID as stock based on the stock information stored in the stock information memory 404b (S93). When the determination in S93 is affirmative (S93: Yes), the CPU 401 allocates and secures a part corresponding to the part ID selected in the process of S92 from the stock (S94), and proceeds to the process of S96. Note that the inventory information in the inventory information memory 404b is also updated as the parts are secured. On the other hand, if the determination in S93 is negative (S93: No), the part corresponding to the part ID selected in the process of S92 is ordered from the part manufacturer (S95).

  In this way, when parts are procured, those that are in stock are secured from the stock and are not ordered, and those that are not in stock are ordered. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts that are not scheduled to be used and an increase in unnecessary inventory, thereby suppressing an increase in the storage space for the parts.

  Next, it is determined whether inventory confirmation has been performed for all component IDs extracted in the process of S91 (S96). When the determination in S96 is negative (S96: No), the CPU 401 returns to the process in S92 and performs inventory confirmation for each component corresponding to the remaining component ID.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S96 is affirmative (S96: Yes), the repair flow number and the repair service center are extracted from the component arrangement information received this time (S97). Then, the CPU 401 repairs all parts instructed by the parts arrangement information received this time, repair flow data corresponding to the repair flow number, and parts arrangement information received this time on the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY. Delivery is reserved so as to reach the service center in charge (S98). The repair flow data is acquired from the repair flow storage memory 404c. Then, this process ends.

  According to the parts arrangement information reception process shown in FIG. 11, based on the parts arrangement information transmitted from the customer management server 300, the parts that need to be arranged, the delivery destination of the parts, and the repair flow corresponding to the parts are displayed. You can identify and arrange the delivery of data for each part and repair flow. That is, the parts arrangement information includes “product serial number”, “user name”, “user address”, “replacement part name”, “part ID”, “repair flow number”, “service center in charge of repair”, “estimation” Anomaly occurrence date TY "is included.

  Then, the parts to be arranged can be specified from the “replacement part name” or “part ID” of the parts arrangement information, and the user will request repair from the “user address” or “repair service center” of the parts arrangement information. The service center in charge of repair of the MFP 100 can be specified. Therefore, before receiving a repair request for the MFP 100 from the user, the parts necessary for the repair can be prepared or delivered in advance so that they can be delivered to the service center in charge of repair. Accordingly, it is possible to further shorten the period from when the repair request is received from the user until the preparation for delivery of the parts used for the repair work is completed, and until the parts used for the repair work are prepared at the service center. Therefore, since the repair work can be started early, the repair period of MFP 100 can be further shortened.

  Also, from the “repair flow number” in the parts arrangement information, the procedure manual used by the repair staff can be identified in the repair work to resolve the anomaly, so the procedure manual data and the procedure manual can be prepared and sent to the repair service center It can be prepared or delivered so that it can be delivered in advance. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the period from when the repair request is received from the user until the preparation of the procedure manual used for the repair work is completed by the service center or the repair person in charge of the service center. Therefore, since the repair work can be started early, the repair period of the MFP 100 can be further shortened.

  In addition, when parts are procured, it is possible to place an order that is not in stock. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts that are not scheduled to be used and an unnecessary inventory. Therefore, before the occurrence of an abnormality that is estimated to occur on the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY, by arranging in advance parts necessary for repairing the abnormality, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.

  In the above embodiment, the inspection result value is an example of function information, the part ID or replacement part name is an example of part information, and the part arrangement information is an example of arrangement information. The product serial number is an example of identification information, and the user address is an example of installation area information. The repair service center is an example of repair service information, and the repair flow number is an example of procedure manual information. An acquisition difficulty rank is an example of difficult acquisition information, and a printing use and a printing frequency are examples of prediction information.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, the specific numerical values given in the above embodiment are merely examples, and other numerical values can naturally be adopted. Specifically, the abnormality warning value K, the preparation period N, the correction coefficients α to γ, and the like may be determined as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, the customer management server 300 corrects the abnormality warning value K by multiplying the abnormality warning value K by the correction coefficients α to γ according to the printing application and printing frequency of the user. The corrected abnormal warning value K may be stored in a table or the like in advance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the abnormality warning value K is corrected on the condition of the user's printing application and printing frequency in the customer management server 300. However, the user's printing application, printing frequency, and replacement part availability difficulty rank The abnormality warning value K may be corrected under any of these conditions. When the abnormality warning value K is corrected on the condition that the acquisition difficulty rank is a condition, the abnormality warning value K is set so that the higher the acquisition difficulty rank (the acquisition difficulty), the easier it is to branch to Yes in the determination of S76 of FIG. Correct the upper and lower limit values. With this correction, replacement parts can be arranged earlier as the risk of occurrence of an abnormality increases, so that the period from when a repair request is received from the user until preparation of the parts to be used for repair work can be further shortened. Therefore, since the repair work can be started early, the repair period of MFP 100 can be further shortened.

  In the above embodiment, in the customer management server 300, the preparation period X is changed on the condition that the replacement part acquisition difficulty rank is a condition. However, any of the user's printing application, printing frequency, and replacement part acquisition difficulty rank may be used. As a condition, the preparation period X may be changed. When the preparation period X is changed on the condition of the user's printing application, the preparation period X is set to be shorter in the case of photo printing than in the case of document printing. However, it is easy to branch to Yes in the determination of S76. Further, when the preparation period X is changed on the condition of the printing frequency, the preparation period X is set to be shorter as the printing frequency is higher, so that it is easier to branch to Yes in the determination of S76. By configuring in this way, replacement parts can be arranged more quickly as the risk of anomalies increases.Therefore, the period from when a repair request is received from the user until the parts to be used for repair work are ready is further increased. Can be shortened. Therefore, since the repair work can be started early, the repair period of MFP 100 can be further shortened.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when calculating the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY in the customer management server 300, the inspection result information of the shipping inspection obtained in the production process and the inspection result obtained in the latest periodic inspection The estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated using the information. On the other hand, instead of the inspection result information of the shipping inspection obtained in the production process, the inspection result information obtained in the first periodic inspection, the inspection result information obtained in the initial periodic inspection, etc. are stored. The estimated abnormality occurrence date TY may be calculated using the stored inspection result information and the inspection result information obtained in the latest periodic inspection. In addition, inspection result information of shipping inspection obtained in the production process, inspection result information obtained in the latest periodic inspection, and inspection result information obtained in periodic inspection older than the latest inspection result information May be used to calculate the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY. By calculating the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY using more test result information, the calculation accuracy can be improved.

In the above embodiment, in order to include information that can specify the installation location of the MFP 100 in the parts arrangement information transmitted from the customer management server 300 to the inventory management server 400, the customer management server 300 includes the customer information table 304 b. “User address” is stored. On the other hand, instead of “user address” or in addition to “user address”, “postal code corresponding to user address”, “user telephone number” and “area code” determined in advance for each predetermined area Etc. may be stored. In this case, “postal code corresponding to the user address”, “user telephone number”, and “area code” correspond to an example of the installation area information. Even in such a configuration, the installation location of the MFP 100 can be specified.
Also, instead of “user address” or in addition to “user address”, “repair service center” corresponding to the “user address” and “repair staff” at the repair service center are stored. May be. In this case, “repair service center” and “repair staff” correspond to an example of repair service information. If the “repair service center” and “repair person” are stored in this way, the “repair service center” and “repair person” can be included in the parts arrangement information. Therefore, the inventory management server 400 can identify the service center and the repair person in charge of repair of the MFP 100 that the user plans to repair from the “repair person in charge” or “repair person” in the part arrangement information. . Therefore, before receiving a repair request for the MFP 100 from the user, parts necessary for the repair can be prepared or delivered in advance so that they can be delivered to a service center or a person in charge of repair. As a result, since the repair work can be started early, the repair period of MFP 100 can be further shortened.

  In the above embodiment, the inspection result information of the periodic inspection generated by the MFP 100 is transmitted from the MFP 100 to the customer management server 300 via the PC 200. However, when the MFP 100 is connected to the Internet 500, The MFP 100 may directly transmit the data to the customer management server 300.

  In the above embodiment, the customer management server 300 and the inventory management server 400 are provided separately, but may be configured as an integrated server.

  In the above embodiment, the inspection result value corresponding to the predetermined specific value ID is acquired from the inspection result information of the shipping inspection and the inspection result information of the periodic inspection, and the transition of the two acquired inspection result values is obtained. Although the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated by calculating a straight line representing the estimated abnormality occurrence date, the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY may be calculated using another method. For example, the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY may be calculated by calculating an approximate line or an approximate curve representing a transition of three or more test result values using three or more test result information.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is calculated for the MFP 100, and the remaining period until the estimated abnormality occurrence date TY is short, parts necessary for repairing the abnormality are arranged in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to the MFP 100 and can be applied to other apparatuses.
<Means>
The repair support server of the technical idea 1 supports the repair work of the multi-function peripheral device that executes the inspection for a specific function and outputs the inspection result information including the function information indicating the inspection result of the function. The acquisition means for acquiring the inspection result information output from the multi-function peripheral device, and the abnormality occurrence time when the abnormality occurs in the specific function based on the function information of the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means Estimating means for estimating, parts identifying means for identifying parts to be replaced in repair work according to an abnormality expected to occur at the time of occurrence of the abnormality estimated by the estimating means, and occurrence of abnormality estimated by the estimating means Output means for outputting arrangement information including part information indicating a part specified by the part specifying means when a predetermined period of time has passed.
In the technical idea 2, the repair support server according to the technical idea 1 is configured such that the inspection result information includes identification information for individually identifying a plurality of the multi-functional peripheral devices, and is associated with the identification information. From the installation information storage means for storing the installation area information indicating the installation area of the peripheral device and the installation area information stored in the installation information storage means, the identification information of the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means Installation area information acquisition means for acquiring corresponding installation area information, and the output means outputs arrangement information including the installation area information acquired by the installation area information acquisition means.
In the technical idea 2, the repair support server according to the technical idea 3 is configured such that the installation area information includes repair person information indicating a person in charge of repair corresponding to the installation area.
The technical support 4 repair support server stores the procedure manual information indicating the procedure manual used in the repair work for eliminating the abnormality of the specific function in any one of the technical ideas 1 to 3. Procedure manual information for acquiring the procedure manual information corresponding to the abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means from the storage means and the procedure manual information stored in the procedure manual information storage means Acquisition means, and the output means outputs arrangement information including procedure manual information acquired by the procedure manual information acquisition means.
The repair support server of the technical idea 5 stores, in any of the technical ideas 1 to 4, hard-to-find information indicating the degree of difficulty in obtaining the part in association with the part specified by the part specifying means. The difficulty acquisition information storage means, and the difficulty acquisition information acquisition means for acquiring the difficulty acquisition information corresponding to the part specified by the parts identification means from the difficulty acquisition information stored in the difficulty acquisition information storage means, The first adjustment means for setting the predetermined period longer as the degree of difficulty of acquisition indicated by the difficulty of acquisition information acquired by the difficulty of acquisition information acquisition means is higher.
The repair support server of the technical idea 6 stores, in any of the technical ideas 1 to 5, hard-to-acquire information indicating the degree of difficulty in obtaining the part in association with the part specified by the part specifying unit. The difficulty acquisition information storage means, and the difficulty acquisition information acquisition means for acquiring the difficulty acquisition information corresponding to the part specified by the parts identification means from the difficulty acquisition information stored in the difficulty acquisition information storage means, And a second adjusting unit that causes the estimation unit to estimate the abnormality occurrence time by increasing the degree of difficulty of acquisition indicated by the acquisition difficulty information acquired by the acquisition difficulty information acquisition unit.
The repair support server of the technical idea 7 corresponds to the prediction information indicating the usage status predicted by the user for the multifunction peripheral device in any one of the technical ideas 1 to 6 to the identification information of the multifunction peripheral device. Prediction information storage means for storing the prediction information, and prediction information acquisition for acquiring prediction information corresponding to the identification information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition means from the prediction information stored in the prediction information storage means And a third adjustment unit that sets the predetermined period longer as the burden on the multifunction peripheral device is larger in the usage state of the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit.
The repair support server of the technical idea 8 corresponds to the prediction information indicating the usage state predicted by the user for the multifunction peripheral device in any one of the technical ideas 1 to 7 to the identification information of the multifunction peripheral device. Prediction information storage means for storing the prediction information, and prediction information acquisition for acquiring prediction information corresponding to the identification information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition means from the prediction information stored in the prediction information storage means And a fourth adjustment unit that causes the estimation unit to estimate the occurrence timing of the abnormality by increasing the burden on the multifunction peripheral in the usage state of the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit. Yes.
The repair support server of the technical idea 9 is any one of the technical ideas 1 to 8, wherein the multi-functional peripheral device performs an inspection for the specific function and individually identifies the multi-functional peripheral devices. And the output of the inspection result information including the function information is repeated, and the repair support server stores the inspection result information output from the multifunction peripheral device in the production process. Information storage means, wherein the estimation means includes inspection result information including the same identification information as the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means among the inspection result information stored in the inspection result information storage means, and the acquisition The abnormality occurrence time is estimated based on each function information with the inspection result information acquired by the means.
The repair support server of the technical idea 10 includes, in any one of the technical ideas 1 to 9, an inventory determination unit that determines whether or not there is a stock for the part indicated by the part information of the arrangement information output from the output unit, And a parts ordering means for placing an order for the part indicated by the part information when the stock judging means judges that there is no stock.
<Effect>
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 1, when a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimation unit has elapsed and there is a possibility that an abnormality may occur in a specific function in the multifunction peripheral device, Arrangement information including part information indicating a part to be replaced in the abnormal repair work is output. Therefore, since the parts used for the repair work of the abnormality can be arranged in advance based on the arrangement information, the parts used for the repair work can be arranged before receiving a repair request for the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the preparation of the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be shortened.
In addition, the repair support server, not the multi-function peripheral device, estimates the time of occurrence of an abnormality, specifies the parts to be replaced during repair work, and outputs arrangement information, so the load on the multi-function peripheral device can be reduced. effective.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 2, in addition to the effect produced by the technical idea 1, the arrangement information including the installation area information indicating the installation area of the multifunction peripheral device is output. Before receiving the request, preparations can be made so that parts used for repair work can be delivered to the installation area of the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the completion of the delivery preparation of the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 3, in addition to the effect of the technical idea 2, the installation area information includes the repair person information indicating the repair person corresponding to the installation area. Before receiving a repair request for the device, the parts used for the repair work can be delivered in advance to the person in charge of repairing the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request until the repair staff is ready for the parts used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 4, in addition to the effect of any of the technical ideas 1 to 3, arrangement information including procedure manual information indicating a work procedure manual used in repair work for eliminating the abnormality is provided. Since it is output, it is possible to arrange a work procedure manual to be used for the repair work before receiving a repair request for the multifunction peripheral device. Therefore, since the period from the receipt of the repair request to the completion of the work procedure manual used for the repair work can be shortened, the repair work can be started quickly. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 5, in addition to the effect of any of the technical ideas 1 to 4, the longer the predetermined period is set, the more difficult it is to obtain the parts to be replaced by the abnormal repair work. Therefore, the more difficult to obtain the parts, the sooner the parts used for repair work can be arranged. Therefore, even parts that are difficult to obtain can be prepared without delay, so that it is possible to shorten the period from when a repair request is received until the parts to be used for repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened. In addition, the easier the parts are obtained, the later the parts used for the repair work can be arranged. Therefore, by arranging the parts used for the repair work in advance, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 6, in addition to the effect of any of the technical ideas 1 to 5, it is difficult to obtain the parts to be replaced by the abnormal repair work, so that the estimation means causes the abnormality occurrence time. Therefore, the more difficult it is to obtain parts, the sooner parts can be arranged for repair work. Therefore, even parts that are difficult to obtain can be prepared without delay, so that it is possible to shorten the period from when a repair request is received until the parts to be used for repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened. In addition, the easier the parts are obtained, the later the parts used for the repair work can be arranged. Therefore, by arranging the parts used for the repair work in advance, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 7, in addition to the effect of any one of the technical ideas 1 to 6, the predetermined period becomes longer as the load on the multifunction peripheral device is higher in the usage situation predicted by the user. Since it is set, the higher the risk of occurrence of an abnormality, the earlier the parts used for repair work can be arranged. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs at an early stage, it is possible to shorten the period from when the repair request is received until the parts used for the repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 8, in addition to the effect of any of the technical ideas 1 to 7, the higher the load on the multifunction peripheral device in the usage situation predicted by the user, the more abnormal the estimation means Since the occurrence time is estimated by moving up, the higher the risk of occurrence of an abnormality, the sooner parts can be arranged for repair work. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs at an early stage, it is possible to shorten the period from when the repair request is received until the parts used for the repair work are ready. Therefore, there is an effect that the repair period of the multifunction peripheral device can be further shortened.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 9, in addition to the effect of any one of the technical ideas 1 to 8, when the abnormality occurrence time is estimated for one multifunction peripheral device, the same multifunction peripheral device Since it is possible to estimate by using a plurality of pieces of output test result information having different output timings, it is possible to suppress errors caused by individual differences among multifunction peripheral devices. In addition, since the estimation is performed using the latest test result information output from the multifunction peripheral device, the abnormality occurrence time can be estimated with high accuracy. Therefore, there is an effect that the accuracy of estimation can be improved.
According to the repair support server of the technical idea 10, in addition to the effect of any of the technical ideas 1 to 9, it is possible to place an order for parts that are not in stock among the parts that are exchanged in abnormal repair work. Can be prevented from increasing. Therefore, by arranging parts used for repair work in advance, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage space for the parts.

100 MFP (multifunctional peripheral device)
300 Customer management server (repair support server)
304b Customer information table (an example of installation information storage means, an example of prediction information storage means)
304d Manufacturing inspection result table (an example of inspection result information storage means)
304g Replacement parts table (an example of procedure manual information storage means, an example of difficult to obtain information storage means)
305 LAN I / F (an example of an acquisition unit)
S63 (an example of prediction information acquisition means)
S64 to S68 (an example of first period adjusting means)
S69 (an example of estimation means)
S71 (an example of difficult to obtain information storage means)
S72 to S75 (an example of first adjusting means)
S79 (an example of part specifying means)
S80 (an example of installation area information acquisition means)
S82 (an example of procedure manual information acquisition means)
S84 (an example of output means)
S93 (an example of inventory judging means)
S95 (Example of part ordering means)

Claims (10)

A repair support server that supports the repair work of a multi-function peripheral device that performs a test for a specific function and outputs test result information including function information indicating a test result of the function,
Obtaining means for obtaining test result information output from the multifunction peripheral device;
Based on the function information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition means, an estimation means for estimating an abnormality occurrence time when an abnormality occurs in the specific function;
Parts identifying means for identifying parts to be replaced in repair work according to the abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means;
An output means for outputting arrangement information including parts information indicating parts specified by the parts specifying means when a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means has passed ;
Prediction information storage means for storing prediction information indicating a usage situation predicted by the user for the multifunction peripheral device in association with identification information of the multifunction peripheral device;
Prediction information acquisition means for acquiring prediction information corresponding to identification information of test result information acquired by the acquisition means from prediction information stored in the prediction information storage means;
A first period adjustment unit configured to set the predetermined period longer as the burden on the multifunction peripheral device is larger in the usage state of the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit. Support server. A repair support server that supports the repair work of a multi-function peripheral device that performs a test for a specific function and outputs test result information including function information indicating a test result of the function,
Obtaining means for obtaining test result information output from the multifunction peripheral device;
Based on the function information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition means, an estimation means for estimating an abnormality occurrence time when an abnormality occurs in the specific function;
Parts identifying means for identifying parts to be replaced in repair work according to the abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means;
An output means for outputting arrangement information including parts information indicating parts specified by the parts specifying means when a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means has passed ;
Prediction information storage means for storing prediction information indicating a usage situation predicted by the user for the multifunction peripheral device in association with identification information of the multifunction peripheral device;
Prediction information acquisition means for acquiring prediction information corresponding to identification information of test result information acquired by the acquisition means from prediction information stored in the prediction information storage means;
A second period adjustment unit that causes the estimation unit to advance and estimate the abnormality occurrence time as the load on the multifunction peripheral device increases in the usage state of the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit . A repair support server characterized by that. The multifunction peripheral device is:
It is configured to repeat the execution of the inspection for the specific function and the output of the identification information for individually identifying the plurality of multifunction peripheral devices and the inspection result information including the function information,
The repair support server is
Comprising inspection result information storage means for storing inspection result information output from the multifunction peripheral in the production process;
The estimation means includes
Each of inspection result information including the same identification information as the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition unit among the inspection result information stored in the inspection result information storage unit, and the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition unit based on the function information, repair support server according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for estimating the abnormality occurrence time. A repair support server that supports the repair work of a multi-function peripheral device that performs a test for a specific function and outputs test result information including function information indicating a test result of the function,
The multifunction peripheral device is:
It is configured to repeat the execution of the inspection for the specific function and the output of the identification information for individually identifying the plurality of multifunction peripheral devices and the inspection result information including the function information,
The repair support server is
Obtaining means for obtaining test result information output from the multifunction peripheral device;
Based on the function information of the test result information acquired by the acquisition means, an estimation means for estimating an abnormality occurrence time when an abnormality occurs in the specific function;
Parts identifying means for identifying parts to be replaced in repair work according to the abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means;
An output means for outputting arrangement information including parts information indicating parts specified by the parts specifying means when a predetermined period before the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimating means has passed ;
Inspection result information storage means for storing the inspection result information output from the multifunction peripheral device in the production process in association with the identification information of the multifunction peripheral device, and
The estimation means includes
Each of inspection result information including the same identification information as the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition unit among the inspection result information stored in the inspection result information storage unit, and the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition unit A repair support server characterized in that the abnormality occurrence time is estimated based on function information. The inspection result information includes identification information for individually identifying the plurality of multifunction peripheral devices,
Installation information storage means for storing installation area information indicating the installation area of the multifunction peripheral device in association with the identification information;
From the installation area information stored in the installation information storage means, comprising installation area information acquisition means for acquiring installation area information corresponding to the identification information of the inspection result information acquired by the acquisition means,
The output means includes
Repair support server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for outputting order information including the installation area information acquired by the installation area information acquisition means. The installation area information is
The repair support server according to claim 5, comprising repair staff information indicating a repair staff corresponding to the installation area. Procedure manual information storage means for storing procedure manual information indicating a work procedure manual used in repair work for eliminating the abnormality of the specific function;
Procedure manual information acquisition means for acquiring the procedure manual information corresponding to the abnormality expected to occur at the abnormality occurrence time estimated by the estimation means from the procedure manual information stored in the procedure manual information storage means. Prepared,
The output means includes
Repair support server according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that outputs a order information including instructions information obtained by the procedures information acquiring unit. An acquisition difficulty information storage unit that stores acquisition difficulty information indicating the degree of difficulty in obtaining the component in association with the component specified by the component specifying unit;
Of the difficulty acquisition information stored in the difficulty acquisition information storage means, the difficulty acquisition information acquisition means for acquiring the difficulty acquisition information corresponding to the component identified by the component identification means;
The higher the degree of availability difficulties indicated by the unavailability information acquired by the unavailability information obtaining means, from claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first adjustment means for setting a longer predetermined period 7 The repair support server according to any one of the above. An acquisition difficulty information storage unit that stores acquisition difficulty information indicating the degree of difficulty in obtaining the component in association with the component specified by the component specifying unit;
Of the difficulty acquisition information stored in the difficulty acquisition information storage means, the difficulty acquisition information acquisition means for acquiring the difficulty acquisition information corresponding to the component identified by the component identification means;
The second adjustment means for causing the estimation means to estimate the occurrence timing of the abnormality by increasing the degree of difficulty of acquisition indicated by the difficulty of acquisition information acquired by the difficulty of acquisition information acquisition means, The repair support server according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . Inventory determining means for determining the presence or absence of inventory for the parts indicated by the part information of the arrangement information output from the output means;
10. The repair according to claim 1, further comprising parts ordering means for placing an order for a part indicated by the part information when the stock judging means judges that there is no stock. Support server.

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